National Task Force Calls for Wider Participation in Surveys on Student Well-being & Suicide Prevention Marking World Suicide Prevention Day
On the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September 2025), the NTF appeals to students, parents, faculty, institutions, and mental health professionals to participate in the surveys and share their voices.
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| Task Force Urges Wider Student Survey for Suicide Prevention |
Mandate of the Task Force
The NTF is tasked with preparing a comprehensive report that:
Identifies major causes of student suicides, including ragging, discrimination, academic pressure, financial stress, and stigma around mental health.
Examines systemic and institutional shortcomings impacting student well-being.
Recommends concrete, actionable measures to improve mental health support and prevent suicides.
Background and situation
Current Situation
India has more than 60,380 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with 4.46 crore enrolled students and 16 lakh faculty members (AISHE 2022–23).
According to the NCRB’s 2022 report, 13,044 students died by suicide, accounting for 7.6% of all suicide deaths.
Task Force Activities
Institutional Visits
The NTF has visited 13 institutions across Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, engaging with students, faculty, administrators, and grievance committees. Special attention is given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and to infrastructure and services supporting well-being. More visits are planned.
Stakeholder Consultations
The Task Force has held consultations with medical students, disability rights activists, queer students, and SC-ST students, among others. Civil society groups, NGOs, and associations have also provided submissions.
Surveys
The NTF is conducting nationwide online surveys in English and Hindi for:
Students in HEIs
Parents/guardians
Faculty members
Mental health professionals
General public
So far, responses have been received from:
80,000+ students
10,000+ faculty
15,000+ parents
700+ mental health providers
8,000+ concerned citizens
The surveys are hosted at: https://ntf.education.gov.in
Directions to Regulatory Bodies
The Department of Higher Education has directed regulatory bodies including AICTE, NMC, Pharmacy Council, Nursing Council, and Bar Council to ensure compliance. Institutions must furnish details of:
Student/faculty composition by category and quota
Mental health services available
Records of suicides or attempts
Student dropouts
Grievance redressal committees (Anti-Ragging Committee, Internal Complaints Committee, Equal Opportunity Cell, etc.)
Challenges and measures related to student well-being
All HEIs registered under AISHE are required to complete the institutional survey by 12th September 2025.
Take the survey now: https://ntf.education.gov.in
Also Read: Sonowal Flags Off ‘Bistirna Parore’ on Brahmaputra
Tags:Ragging / Discrimination / Academic Pressure, Institutional Mental Health Support, Regulatory Bodies in Education, Mental Health Stigma